The Golden State Warriors are in the NBA Finals this season, and it’s been an incredible turnaround from them considering where they were the past two seasons. The team was one of the worst in the league thanks to injuries in the 2019-20 season, and despite being slightly better in 2020-21, they failed to make the playoffs as well.
Many were questioning whether the dynasty was over, even though Steph Curry seemed to know they would be a problem when they got all their players back this season. But the belief within the organization wasn’t as strong, considering that they didn’t know that Jordan Poole would emerge as a star, and according to Ramona Shelburne, they considered getting their core another All-Star when they were struggling:
“Myers nodded and told Curry he promised to ‘get it right,’” Shelburne wrote.
“The easiest way to do that would’ve been to sign or trade for an established star to pair with Curry, Thompson and Green,” Shelburne wrote. “The Warriors did explore those options, sources said, most notably surrounding Washington’s Bradley Beal.”
Warriors were linked with Beal several times in 2021 and before that, and he could have provided the scoring that they are now getting from Jordan Poole and a bit more had he joined the team. However, any trade for him would have cost Golden State some of their younger players and other assets, which they now get to keep and develop while still winning.
All of these things will become quite irrelevant if they can clinch their 4th championship in 8 years by beating the Celtics in the NBA Finals, it would be a huge victory for the organization. Not only would it further the legacy of their aging core, but it would also give young stars like Jordan Poole, Moses Moody, and Jonathan Kuminga a taste of success at the highest level, which can only be a good thing.
